What is the "full experience" at an AD?

[Oldwoods]

At my AD you are greeted at the door, escorted to the watch department, seated and offered a drink (tea, coffee, beer, champagne).
Try on your new watch, have it resized, fill in paperwork, pay. Talk for a while then go to the pub to celebrate.
All in all a good experience.

[Largoshark]

I can tell you that I've had at least one horrible AD buying experience, and a couple of top-notch grey dealer experiences...for what it's worth.

[Monty22]

My AD is personable, knowledgeable, patient, and seems genuinely happy to see me when I am there.

To me, that’s the experience. Some people’s personalities are such that they do not appreciate that and don’t see value in it...to each their own.

Anytime I am going to spend Rolex-type money or more on something, I want the personal experience.


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[djyolky]

The full experience is being able to walk into an AD and being able to buy the watch you want. Anything short of this is annoying.

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[Mr. Miami]

Me being in young 20s, I always wondered when I go to buy my 1st Rolex a year from now how I will be treated. Somewhat feared I'd be laughed out door because I'm "young and can't afford a Rolex." Guess I will see what happens a year from now.

[alex.cicollo]

Meanwhile at JLC....

Picked up my lovely perpetual, wonderful SA told me he would get me on a master watchmaker workshop - which i attendee snd lasted 2 hours to disassemble and reassemble one piece. Then showed me some exquisite watches.... and explained how to register my watch for an 8 year warranty.... that’s customer service from a real premiere brand that looks after its clients.


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[Old Geezer]

I think customers play a large role in shaping the AD experience. If you know precisely what you want and they have it or you were simply called to pick it up, the experience might only be as long it may take to size the bracelet and make payment. If the customer engages in chit chat, I'm sure the AD won't push them out of the shop.
On the other hand, if a customer is shopping for a watch but hasn't decided on the model, the AD is likely going to pull out several pieces to show them, maybe a catalog and the AD experience will likely be longer. I observed this very scenario when I was picking up my Daytona C. A man was shopping for a Rolex for himself to mark a career achievement. The SA attending to him had several models pulled out, they were discussing features, looking at the Rolex website on an iPad. I left and they were still at it. The next time I visited I asked if he had purchased anything. He had decided on a Bluesy.
Delivering a watch to me may take up to 2 hours. I always talk up a storm, may have something to drink and generally enjoy the experience. I always ask for swag. Sometimes I get something, sometimes not but may get something on a subsequent visit when I'm just checking in and not actually buying.

[Jabbo84]

Vaseline????

[Dlong]

Watches of Switzerland’s has a bar down stairs on Greene street. Not sure if cocktails are free. Whenever I go into the John Hardy boutique, they offer free alcohol. Give you a little buzz and you spend money. Works every time.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

The replies on this thread are epic.


This being the year 2020...
Walk in happy
Some chit-chat (brief)
Find watch I want
Buy watch
They resize it (if/as needed)
Thank AD for great resizing
Maybe some brief chit-chat
Walk out happy.
The end.


In 1995
Walk in
Talk about the AD's recent vacation trip to ___
AD pulls out wonderful new timepiece(s)
We talk about the new movement within the ___
Discuss wife/kids/music/whatever
Get offered some Cola (AD knows i don't drink alcohol)
We talk some more
Look a few more timepieces
Decide to buy ___
We discuss the movement, case, and/or strap / bracelet options i can add on
Bracelet adjusted if/as needed
Thank AD for making a great adjustment, it fits wonderfully
Buy extra bands, etc if desired
Now with timepiece on my wrist, we say how great it looks on my wrist and how glad i got it.
We talk about a few last things.
AD hands me a really nice book, brochure, etc about watches... maybe even some swag
Thank AD
Walk out happy wearing new timepiece


God i miss 1995

I still get the 1995 experience, so I should count myself lucky then.


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[Roger Lococco]

From 2018 ...

Walk in off the street to an AD that I have never visited before.

Start up a conversation about watches. Ask if they have a BLNR. Told they have a BLNR, plus lots of other sports models. Ask which ones. SA brings out the Rolex catalog with a big smile. Points to both the black and white 116500 ... the Hulk ... the SD43 ... the BLNR ... and the Submariner.

I ask again if they in fact have the white 116500. With a pleasant smile, the SA says "yes, we do.' Ask if I can purchase it. The SA with a smile says "yes you may purchase this watch."

I tell them that I would like to purchase the Daytona.

116500 brought out by another SA. In casket. Fully stickered. Never touched. They do not remove the stickers and I let them know that I don't have time to size the watch.

I pay with a credit card, tax free. Another SA joins what is essentially a celebration where all 3 SAs smile and clap, saying that they're happy I found a watch that I like.

Themes that made it a good experience. They have a lot of nice watches available. They did not remove the stickers and they provided the casket. They were very friendly and seemed genuinely excited for me. Everything was quick and efficient.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by exador

Followed by obligatory "AD scratched my watch!!!" post on TRF.
That's the full experience

Ugh, those posts get tiring.


Procured many timepieces over the years, no scratches. Wait, maybe one... I think. Generally wouldn't care anyway because I wear them like beaters. Heck, did a band swap on the 10 day old Heuer Monaco 2 days ago and yup, did a tiny slip. I shrugged for a second, then moved on. Don't care about small scratch, she'll get many more over the years. Love the look on this NATO strap.

Small scratch on the underside of lug... worth it!

[Masteryacht]

Diet Coke.

[D.P.G.]

I walked into AD my new GMT Master ll BLRN fit perfectly without adjustment I gave them a credit cars and was out the door in 15 minutes with watch on wrist and bad in hand with all other items. That was my full experience in December 2019.

[singe89]

Current AD experience: There is a long list for any of the watches you want and we are not adding names. However, instead of paying a premium on the grey market why don't you buy some jewelry ($100k) and we can put you high on the list.

Current boutique experience: I don't care about the 10 same brand watches you bought from ADs. You'll have to start over to get any status with the brand.

[iliketime]

Originally Posted by mykii

I got mad drunk on champagne when I bought my Pepsi, guess Tourneau still wheels out the drink for suckers like me.

yup, i mentioned considering trading in my polar 16570 and they asked if I wanted some champagne

[mk2jag]

The full experience which I enjoy is a cappuccino apon arrival followed by a nice chat to catch up on things. Afterwards trying the watch out and having the team who are not busy taking a look and providing their opinions. When I decide to purchase, the watch is fitted and then the stickers removed. I usually am offered a glass of champagne and the most recent Rolex book. I usually get a new pair of AD handeling gloves as well. At this point the card is filled in and the watch boxed, wrapped and bagged. The last step is payment and at this point I’m ready to go...As you can see I’m always well taken care of...

[GradyPhilpott]

The real AD experience isn't in buying a watch or a dozen watches.

It's in the fact that after a time, they get to know you and if you're nice to them, they'll take a liking to you and when you ask about a particular reference, they'll go out of their way to make sure you get one as soon as possible.

They might ask for a deposit, just to keep everything on the up and up, but they won't give you the run around, because they know you well enough to know that just because you have a soft spot for watches, you're no fool.

It's a whole 'nother world out there now and things are not likely to work that way so much, but if you're a watch guy and not a poser, becoming friends with the local shops is not a bother and your enthusiasm and willingness to buy will set you apart from the run of the mill customer.

That's the real AD experience and it doesn't come cheaply or overnight, but in my experience, it's worth it.

Currently, I'm not interested in the new AD in town, because I'm not interested in any new Rolex watches and there's no real need to drop in to look at empty showcases, although I've introduced myself, and I'm not interested in their other wares, but I do keep in touch with my used dealer and he and his staff treat me well.

[NachoNeal]

Originally Posted by alex.cicollo

Meanwhile at JLC....

Picked up my lovely perpetual, wonderful SA told me he would get me on a master watchmaker workshop - which i attendee snd lasted 2 hours to disassemble and reassemble one piece. Then showed me some exquisite watches.... and explained how to register my watch for an 8 year warranty.... that’s customer service from a real premiere brand that looks after its clients.


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How do you do that?

[NewbieRollie]

A drink, putting your name on the card, and peeling stickers, & the secure feeling knowing your watch is 100 percent authentic lol

[JDsnewwatch]

I only have good experiences with ADs who don't sell Rolex watches. Ive tried over and over. Its a miserable experience and it continually justifies my decision to deal with the grey market.

However, when I bought my last IWC, that was a wonderful experience! The watch cost lets just say more than two submariners. I got a discount without even asking. I made an appointment to see this specific watch and when I arrived, my salesperson was waiting for me with the obligatory beverage (where did this custom come from? its kind of idiotic.I didn't climb a mountain to get there, I drove..).

Anyhow, she handed me my juice and helped be sit (also a little weird, but ok..).

She brought out the watch I had called about, a selection of straps (for different seasons) and the store's manager as well as the director of the service department to meet me. Since I was new to the store (in Rolex terms "I was unknown to them") they wanted me to get a better idea of who they are and how they can fit into MY watch collecting (NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND). So, we took a break and we walked through the service department! It was kind of awesome!

We walked back to the little room that we started in and I tried on the watch. I purchased it with a few IWC bands. They sent me home with some swag (a t-shirt with the IWC logo embroidered on the pocket, a catalogue, and a book about the history of Reichmont (the parent company of IWC).

Two weeks later, they sent chocolates and a note expressing their thanks for my patronage and basically offering to be there for any needs that I might have in the future.

Bottom line? There is NOTHING more that they could have done to make me feel valued as a customer.

[iTreelex]

My AD experience was amazing. I got 3 bottles of "pelegringo," some cheap champagne, and a shoulder massage while the dealer brought out 2 steel daytonas, a BLRO, and the new 2020 submariner everyone is so hyped about. I then proceeded to scoff at those time pieces demanding they aren't hype enough. You definitely are missing out.

[Dr.Stu]

Originally Posted by Jabbo84

Vaseline????

Literally laughed out loud.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by NachoNeal

How do you do that?

https://services.jaeger-lecoultre.com/en/home




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[Briswatch]

Got invited to the women’s final of the Australian open tennis about five years ago. Pretty special.

[Fleetlord]

My AD visit usually starts out with a little music to celebrate my arrival.

This does the trick.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dfe8tCcHnKY

Then, fresh carpet is unrolled so I need not walk in the footsteps of others


After some jibber jabber about the state of the market, my new timepiece is placed on my wrist and I am whisked away to wear my new Rolex while living a luxuriously active and on trend 2020 lifestyle.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Tony64

You mean you didn't get happy ending?

[privv]

Glass of Champagne,Bottle of Champagne to take home and a handshake

[Daddyshark]

Happy ending at the back of the shop

[Xtralarg]

40% mark up, these AD's are laughing when you leave!